Ready, Willing, and Able is happy to announce the beginning of its partnership with BNP Paribas in Canada, a premier global banking partner, with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of its commitments. Since launching its neurodiversity program in 2022, they have made great strides in inclusive hiring of neurodiverse individuals. We look forward to accompanying BNP Paribas in Canada in their mission to continue reducing barriers to employment and improving opportunities for people with an intellectual disability or who are on the autism spectrum. The post BNP ..read more

“In this world, it’s essential to understand that everyone has their unique strengths and talents.” – Sarah Smith Sarah Smith, a talented professional at Auticon, shares an inspiring journey that showcases how this innovative company is transforming lives and fostering career advancement. Auticon is an autistic-majority company that integrates autistic technology consultants into client organizations, excelling in roles such as software development and data analysis. This firsthand interaction promotes cultural change and advances neurodiversity. Auticon supports the autistic community by fost ..read more

Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) is very pleased to welcome Canada Life Assurance Company Ltd as its newest national employer partner. Canada Life strives to be a company that reflects the vibrant diversity of Canadians. Across the company, Canada Life is integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into everything they do – for their people, customers, and communities. Building a culture that is inclusive, safe and welcoming where everyone can be their best, authentic selves is a top priority for this organization. Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provide ..read more

Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) is very pleased to welcome Neuro Plus as its newest national partner. The Neuro Plus-RWA partnership launched in Quebec. Building on that success, this partnership is now expanding to include additional locations across Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia. Neuro Plus is dedicated to enabling neurodiverse job seekers to fully make most of their cognitive strengths and creativity. Neuro Plus focuses its efforts on supporting and developing an inclusive professional environment that builds upon the skills of its clients and empl ..read more

Click here for the accessible version “Annie was a customer of the café before she became our employee. Her dream was to work here, and we were able to make it a reality. We wanted her to evolve in an environment that gives her the opportunity to progress, in the same way as other employees.” Rami Kassem from “Yellowknife Coffee Shop Celebrates Everyday Diversity and Inclusion” (2021) In the summer of 2021, we met with Annie Strus, a very talented barista, and Rami Kassem, the owner of JavaRoma Gourmet Coffee & Tea, a beloved local coffee shop in Yellowknife. People loved coming to this ..read more

Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) is very pleased to welcome Loblaw Companies Ltd as its newest national employer partner. What began in 2021 as a Pilot Project with approximately 60 of their market locations, this partnership subsequently expanded to include locations in their discount, and wholesale divisions. The current partnership with Loblaw Companies Ltd. now includes more than 260 locations across their Market, Discount and Wholesale divisions in 11 provinces and territories, making Loblaw a truly national employer partner of RWA.   Loblaw is a ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2022 Toronto, ON – Autism Alliance of Canada and Inclusion Canada are advising the public to be aware of an e-mail phishing scam in which individuals posing as Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) staff attempt to collect confidential and personal information. RWA is a national employment program for persons on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability.  The scammers may represent themselves as staff working at Ready, Willing & Able and have been targeting random persons by e-mail with a false offer of employment to work for the RWA delivery ..read more

BMO is Canada’s oldest bank. Founded over 200 years ago, BMO started off primarily dealing with fur traders and with Indigenous banking. Since then, the company has developed into North America’s 8th largest bank, with 45,000 employees, 12 million customers across the globe, and valued assets of over 971 billion dollars. From its roots in Indigenous banking, to the development of recent programs such as “BMO Empower” (a 5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities and families), BMO has consistently focused on building diversity and inc ..read more

Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) is very pleased to welcome Wajax Corporation as its newest national employer partner. Wajax Corporation is one of Canada’s leading equipment, products and solutions providers with over 160 years of experience across numerous industries. Dedicated to safe, sustainable, and inclusive work and hiring practices, Wajax puts in the time and effort to ensure each of its 3000 employees is treated like family. Wajax has implemented a wide variety of goals and programs aimed at providing their employees with a safe workplace, career development opportunities, and a sense o ..read more

In 2019, Steve Lenarduzzi was just settling into his new role as Senior VP (Northern Alberta, Northern Canada, and Energy and Resources) with Clark Builders in Edmonton. One of the first things on his calendar was an invite to RWA delivery partner Inclusion Alberta’s President’s Reception at their annual Family Conference, where Clark Builders was to receive a Community Inclusion Award. Knowing relatively little about the work of Inclusion Alberta, Steve had Clark Builders’ marketing/PR department fill in a few details and help him draft an acceptance speech.  The night of the event, Stev ..read more